Loading...
Person
dos Santos Vasconcelos Gomes, Helena Margarida
10 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 10
- ‘It’s a lot of work’: A tailor’s measuring tape in the dollhousePublication . Figueiredo, Maria Pacheco; Menezes, Luís; Gomes, Helena Margarida dos Santos Vasconcelos; martins, ana patrícia; Ribeiro, António; Marchese, Myriam; Soares, Isabel; Zhang, LinStructured around Bishop’s six fundamental mathematical activities, this book brings together examples of mathematics education from a range of countries to help readers broaden their view on maths and its interrelationship to other aspects of life. Considering different educational traditions and diverse contexts, and illustrating theory through the use of real-life vignettes throughout, this book encourages readers to review, reflect on, and critique their own practice when conducting activities on explaining, counting, measuring, locating, designing, and playing. Aimed at early childhood educators and practitioners looking to improve the mathematics learning experience for all their students, this practical and accessible guide provides the knowledge and tools to help every child.
- Algorithmic Thinking in Early Childhood Education: Opportunities and Supports in the Portuguese ContextPublication . Figueiredo, Maria Pacheco; Amante, Susana; Gomes, Helena Margarida dos Santos Vasconcelos; Gomes, Cristina Azevedo; Rego, Belmiro; Alves, Valter; Duarte, Rui PedroALGO-LITTLE is an EU-funded project, with partners from Portugal, Italy, Turkey and Slovenia, in search of ways to integrate Algorithmic Thinking skills into preschool education for the purpose of growing future code literates starting from the earliest ages. Algorithmic Thinking stems from the concept of an algorithm, which refers to solving a problem by developing a set of steps taken in a sequence to achieve the desired outcome (Katai, 2014). The concept can be traced to the work of Papert (1980, 1991) and is connected to the seminal article by Wing (2006) that introduced Computational Thinking. Barretal (2011) concluded that in K-12, Algorithmic Thinking involves problem-solving skills and particular dispositions, such as confidence and persistence when confronting particular problems. Early Childhood Education algorithmic skills include abilities to learn and work according to the rules or models since children are capable to understand, use, apply and develop simple algorithms. Children are also capable of analyzing and correcting the sequence of actions to reach results, transferring known methods of actions to new situations, and describing their activities to others in a clear way (Voronina et al., 2016; Games for learning algorithmic thinking, 2017). The paper analyses initiatives, studies, and projects that are connected to Algorithmic Thinking in Early Childhood Education in Portugal. A review of literature was developed, starting with curricular documents for Preschool Education (3 to 6 years old) and other documents from the ICT Educational Policy in the country. The second step was a search in databases for studies and projects that looked into Algorithmic Thinking and Computational Thinking in Early Childhood Education in Portugal. The analyses looked into the following themes: a) what definition and elements of Algorithmic Thinking are present?, b) to which concepts and curricular areas is it connected to?, c) what is expected that children in Early Childhood Education learn in relation to Algorithmic Thinking?, d) to what pedagogical elements is Algorithmic Thinking related to?. In terms of curricular documents, it was found that code has been relevant for Portuguese Early Childhood Education (at least) since 1997. In their first edition, the Portuguese Curricular Guidelines for Pre-School Education (Ministério da Educação, 1997) included computer code as one of the codes children should get acquainted with. This meant its inclusion under the domain “Spoken Language and Introductory Writing”. It was stated that “code” was present and would be necessary in children’s lives and could be used in arts, music, mathematic, or writing (Portuguese) (p. 72). This approach was positively singled out by the OECD report: addressing the topic of ICT in the guidelines interconnected with other forms of communication and information learning (Taguma et al., 2012). In 2016, the Portuguese Curricular Guidelines for Pre-School Education (PCGPSE) were reviewed and this second version amplifies the mentions to technology. The findings include an analysis for each of the six curricular areas and domains. In terms of studies and projects, the “Kids Media Lab Project II” stood out as the only systematic initiative for promoting Computational Thinking in Preschool Education (Pinto, Fernandes & Osório, 2021). In the findings, the main elements of the project are discussed.
- Mathematical pedagogical content knowledge in Early Childhood Education: tales from the ‘great unknown’ in teacher education in PortugalPublication . Figueiredo, Maria Pacheco; Gomes, Helena Margarida dos Santos Vasconcelos; Rodrigues, CátiaThe study aims to explore the specificity of Mathematics pedagogical content knowledge in Early Childhood Education Pedagogy in Initial Teacher Education. It addresses the issue by characterizing student teachers’ perspectives and by analyzing student teachers’ knowledge mobilized in a situation of planning for teaching. The answers to a task developed by students in an Initial Teacher Education program are analyzed in terms of the mathematical knowledge and pedagogical options presented. The results contribute to the discussion in terms of (un)balance between teacher-initiated and child-led activities. The discussion deepens the importance to assert specific/particular ways of teaching in Early Childhood Education, contrasting with the more restricted view of only adult-led moments being teaching. Strong content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge are valued because of their relevance both at the level of adults’ knowledge needed to support children initiatives and plan curricular/didactic activities and at the level of the knowledge children interact within their daily environment and routine
- Play, Algorithmic Thinking and Early Childhood Education: Challenges in the Portuguese ContextPublication . Figueiredo, Maria Pacheco; Gomes, Cristina Azevedo; Amante, Susana; Gomes, Helena Margarida dos Santos Vasconcelos; Alves, Valter; Duarte; Rego, BelmiroALGOLITTLE is an EU-funded project, with partners from Portugal, Italy, Turkey, and Slovenia, supporting the integration of algorithmic thinking skills into preschool education for preparing future code literates from an early age. The paper presents the project and frames it in Portuguese Early Childhood Education. First, in terms of curricular areas and pedagogical approach, through a content analysis of the Portuguese Curricular Guidelines for Preschool Education. Second, by analyzing initiatives and projects that are connected to algorithmic thinking in Early Childhood Education in Portugal. Third, by presenting challenges that emerged from a set of discussions with several participants, highlighting the complexity and timeliness of the project.
- Brincar e participar como processos de aprendizagem das operações aritméticas na Educação Pré-EscolarPublication . Dória, Goretti; Figueiredo, Maria Pacheco; Gomes, Helena Margarida dos Santos VasconcelosNa educação pré-escolar, ensinar concretiza-se na organização do ambiente educativo e em interações mais ou menos orientadas pelo/a educador/a. Nas Orientações Curriculares para a Educação Pré-Escolar portuguesas, a organização do ambiente educativo surge como suporte da gestão curricular e o brincar é valorizado de forma transversal a todas as áreas de conteúdo. Em termos matemáticos, destaca-se o desafio de organizar o espaço, os materiais e as interações que promovam o envolvimento das crianças na resolução de problemas e as oportunidades que o brincar oferece para o desenvolvimento da comunicação e do raciocínio matemáticos. Esta abordagem reconhece os saberes e experiências das crianças como base para a sua aprendizagem, nomeadamente no âmbito da Matemática. Apresentamos situações experienciadas e investigadas num contexto pré-escolar português, analisando as propostas do adulto e as resoluções de 20 crianças entre 3 e 6 anos. As situações foram desenhadas tendo em vista o trabalho com as operações aritméticas, procurando contribuir para o seu desenvolvimento.
- Mathematical pedagogical content knowledge in early childhood education: A study in initial teacher education in PortugalPublication . Figueiredo, Maria Pacheco; Gomes, Helena Margarida dos Santos Vasconcelos; Rodrigues, CátiaThe study aims to explore the specificity of mathematics Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Early Childhood Education Pedagogy. The pedagogy of ECE (Siraj-Blatchford, 2010) and the didactics of ECE (Pramling & Pramling-Samuelsson, 2011) suggest dimensions of knowledge that require strong content and PC knowledge of teachers. Recent studies about PCK of ECE teachers highlight similar specific dimensions: organization of educational environment and interactions with children (Lee, 2010, McCray, 2008, Rojas, 2008). The current framework for ECE Teacher Education in Portugal (since 2007) focuses both content knowledge and subject didactics. PCK has been labelled the 'great unknown' in ECE (Rojas, 2008) in traditions where the child's development is considered as the main knowledge base for ECE (Chen & McNamee, 2006, Cullen, 2005, Hedges & Cullen, 2005). We studied the perspectives of 27 initial teacher education students about knowledge for teaching and about ECE Pedagogy. We used one open-ended questionnaire and students' analysis of episodes focusing children's answers or discourse relevant for mathematics (about high numbers and square root). The questionnaire was anonymous and students’ permission to use the answers was obtained. In the questionnaire, interactions with children (62%) and organization of the educational environment (38%) are highlighted as the most important focus for the teacher. Students suggested tasks that were adult planned and oriented to further the situations presented in the episodes. Very few references to children's exploratory actions (Bonawitz et al., 2011) were made. The specificity of ECE (child initiated activities, e.g.) needs to be further developed in initial teacher education.
- Atas do 9.º Congresso Olhares Sobre a Educação / 2nd International Congress Perspectives on EducationPublication . Figueiredo, Maria Pacheco; Silva, Ana Isabel; Rocha, João; Souto E Melo, Ana Luísa; Cardoso, Ana Paula; Ribeiro, António; Gomes, Helena Margarida dos Santos Vasconcelos; Menezes, Luís; Felizardo, Sara
- Curso – Integração de Competências de Pensamento Algorítmico na Educação Pré-EscolarPublication . Gencel, İlke Evin; Akyüz, Büşra; Kavaklı, Nurdan; Licardo, Marta; Perše, Tina Vršnik; Pezak, Jasminka; Figueiredo, Maria Pacheco; Amante, Susana; Gomes, Helena Margarida dos Santos Vasconcelos; Rego, Belmiro; Gomes, Cristina Azevedo; P. Duarte, Rui; Alves, Valter; Operto, Fiorella; Gilardi, Luca; Şenol, Gizem
- "It’s a Thing to Measure Things”: Learning about Measurement in Early Childhood Teacher Education in PortugalPublication . Figueiredo, Maria Pacheco; Gomes, Helena Margarida dos Santos Vasconcelos; Matos, Isabel AiresA Lesson Study (Lewis, 2002) about length measurement in Early Childhood Education was developed collaboratively by students in initial Early Childhood Teacher Education as part of their practicum. Although Lesson Studies are commonly used for in-service teacher education, there are studies that consider it for initial teacher education (Baptista, Conceição, & Ponte, 2020; Bjuland & Mosvold, 2015; Cajkler & Wood, 2016; Fernández, 2010; Leavy & Hourigan, 2016; Marble, 2012; Merichelli & Curi, 2016). An essential dimension in the education of future teachers is the development of their ability to learn from pedagogical practice, and Lesson Studies have the potential to serve as a context for this process (Cohan & Honigsfeld, 2007; Sims & Walsh, 2009). The students from the Master's Degree in Early Childhood and Primary Education were organized into three groups. Each group included four students that were placed in different Early Childhood Education (ECE) settings and, therefore, worked daily with up to 25 children from 3 to 6 years old. All groups planned together. The same “Lesson” was developed in three ECE settings and data was collected so it could be discussed in terms of: a) children’s knowledge about measurement revealed in actions and discourse, and b) features of the planning that were aligned with ECE Pedagogy. The second cycle of planning, implementation in the other three settings, and reflection was developed after the analysis and discussion of cyle 1. After the second cycle, reports were prepared by each group. The planning was based on listening to children as well as on valuing play as a means to understand children's knowledge and experiences. These principles are coherent with the perspective on Mathematics and its Didactics reflected in the Portuguese Curricular Guidelines for Early Childhood Education (Ministry of Education, 2016) and offer children opportunities for meaningful learning (Thiel, Severina, & Perry, 2020). Methodologically, the Guidelines take as a starting point the interests, experiences, and daily life of the children. The teacher should find ways to observe and reflect on those, and then offer diverse and challenging experiences and help children to reflect and discuss them to support the construction of mathematical ideas. In terms of content and learning expectations, the Guidelines present four blocks for mathematics: numbers and operations; data organization and analysis; geometry and measurement; and interest and curiosity in Mathematics. In this paper, we present results from the data recorded in the reports prepared by the students: participant observation records of the 125 children (corresponding to 6 groups) during the activities. The planning started with making available length measurement tools so children could play freely and then, after a large group conversation, it was suggested that children use the tools in role-playing situations connected to real-life situations. Children focused primarily on measuring as finding a result and measuring as an action associated with jobs or professionals. Most children mentioned home as the context where the tools were familiar. The diversity of experiences highlights the importance of home-school communication for mathematics (Bishop, 2016) and the relevance of play as an arena for children's complex understandings to be shared. Strict didactical sequences for measuring were perceived as disregarding that complexity.
- Curriculum –Integration of Algorithmic Thinking Skills into Preschool EducationPublication . Evin Gencel, İlke; Akyüz, Büşra; Kavaklı, Nurdan; Yoleri, Sibel; Licardo, Marta; Vršnik Perše, Tina; Pezak, Jasminka; Figueiredo, Maria Pacheco; Amante, Susana; Gomes, Helena Margarida dos Santos Vasconcelos; Gomes, Cristina Azevedo; Rego, Belmiro; Alves, Valter; Duarte, RuiALGOLITTLE is an EU funded Erasmus+ KA203 project seeking the ways of integrating algorithmic thinking skills into preschool education to cultivate future’s code literates starting from the earliest years. When we consider the COVID-19 outbreak process, while a transformation has been being experienced in every field, education has also been digitalized in a tremendous way. These developments promise the systems digitalized in a more global scale. Therefore, it becomes important to raise individuals with the skills allowing them to keep up with the expectations of the 21st century business world. ALGOLITTLE project consortium consists of 6 partners: İzmir Democracy University (Turkey), Scuola di Robotica (Italy), University of Maribor (Slovenia), University of Rijeka (Croatia), Instituto Politecnico de Viseu (Portugal) and Educloud Ed-Tech (Turkey). The consortium has been developing a curriculum and teaching materials to equip early childhood education undergraduates with the new skills which modern world demands and support them to become competent to meet the requirements of their future professions. Algorithmic thinking skills are defined as thinking about the steps to achieve a determined objective in a clear and detailed way (Brown, 2015). This term was suggested for the first time by Wing (2006) and is based on the studies of Seymour Papert (Papert, 1980, 1991). Wing (2006) claims that algorithmic thinking requires “solving problems, designing systems and understanding human behaviour by benefiting from the basic concepts of computer science”. And this becomes an opportunity in teacher education to ensure undergraduate students gain contemporary and innovative skills.